Whether you have an injury or you simply want to enjoy a precious hour to yourself, a therapeutic massage could be great for both your body and your mind. Here at Backstage Salon + Spa in Rowley, MA, we offer many different types of massage and body treatments, so you’re sure to find a great fit for your current situation.
Almost everyone can benefit from massage therapy, and in addition to stress relief and relaxation, there are certain conditions that can be addressed in this way. For example, many people find that they have reduced anxiety and depression, feel less tired, don’t get headaches or migraines anymore, and have less muscle pain after their sessions. You might also be able to benefit from this method if you have repetitive stress injuries or would like to prevent them.
What Is Therapeutic Massage?
There are many different types of massage, so you might wonder what our therapists will do when you arrive for your session. Massage is a very hands-on method, and you can expect us to touch you in order to release tension and increase blood flow. In most cases, we will manipulate your muscles by gently squeezing them, applying fixed pressure, moving our hands over them, or holding them.
Who Can Benefit from This Treatment?
The majority of people will be good candidates for massage therapy because it’s a gentle and non-invasive treatment, so there’s very little chance of a bad reaction. Unless you have a severe medical condition that could get worse with massage, you’ll be eligible to benefit from this method. You’ll find it especially helpful if you suffer from pain in your muscles, headaches, or if you simply need some time and space to unwind after a stressful week.
Many people have also found that regular massage can address issues such as fatigue, anxiety, and depression. In fact, this technique is being used alongside other methods of treatment to help patients with both mental and physical issues. Because of its gentle nature, it can be an effective yet low-risk solution for various conditions.
You Have Anxiety and Depression
Having a massage can help to boost your mood, which can reduce the symptoms of common mental conditions like anxiety and depression. The treatment will increase your body’s production of certain hormones that contribute to happiness, such as dopamine and serotonin, and it can decrease your level of cortisol.
The calming effect occurs due to the fact that your parasympathetic nervous system starts to kick in when you’re being massaged. This is the process in the body that occurs when you’re feeling relaxed and your brain doesn’t perceive any threats or pressures. You’ll notice deeper, more relaxed breathing, a lower heart rate, and better digestion, as your body is no longer in fight or flight mode.
You’re Fatigued
Around 50-70 million people across the US have sleep disorders, so you’re not alone if you can’t sleep at night and then experience fatigue throughout the day. Since your muscles and nerves are relaxed during a massage, you can expect to experience better sleep, which can address your extreme tiredness. The increased activity of your parasympathetic nervous system will also contribute to your ability to fall asleep.
If you have conditions that cause you pain, such as muscle tension or repetitive stress injuries, these could be the root cause of your sleeping difficulties. In such cases, massage can be even more effective because it can address the root cause of your issue and resolve the painful problem that prevents you from having healthy sleep.
You Suffer from Headaches and Migraines
Headaches and migraines are very common conditions, and they have a wide variety of causes. With the stress of a busy work schedule, many people start to tense up the muscles in their neck and shoulders, which can then cause pain. When this tension gets really bad, you might experience spasms or strong muscle cramps.
Regular massage can address this issue by relaxing the muscles that are the most tense and stretching out shortened muscles. As a result, you’ll feel better and the headaches are less likely to return. The increased blood flow caused by this treatment will also help to provide oxygen and nutrients to the local area, and this can further reduce the chance of pain.
You Have Pain in Your Muscles
Maybe the primary aim of therapeutic massage is to relieve pain in the muscles. As mentioned, stress at work and in your personal life may cause your muscles to tense up, and over time, this can result in many issues like posture imbalances and chronic pain. If you suffer from these problems and your doctor has told you that they’re due to muscle tension, a regular massage could help you to resolve the issue and keep you pain-free in the future.
You Have Repetitive Stress Injuries
When you have an injury caused by repetitive stress, you will need to rest the relevant muscles and tendons, but you can speed up healing by getting a massage from a competent and well-qualified therapist. Because of the calming effect the treatment has on your nervous system, you’ll find that your pain lessens, and your body feels more relaxed.
The increased blood flow that provides more nutrients to the local area can also help to speed up the healing process. A massage can help your body to flush out toxins and waste products, which means that they will be removed faster from the site of your injury, and it can heal better as a result.
You Simply Want to Unwind and Relax
Although there are many medical reasons why a massage is a good idea, some people just need to relax and unwind. The time you spend with your massage therapist will be focused entirely on your wellbeing, so it’s a great treat after a long, hard week. Over the long term, coming to the clinic for this type of treatment will have many rejuvenating effects, making you look and feel younger and more energetic.
You Aren’t Suffering from Illness
Although almost anyone can benefit from the relaxing and rejuvenating effects of a massage, there are certain times when you shouldn’t come to the clinic. Because your blood circulation will be increased, you should never get a massage when you have a fever, as it could make the infection worse. You will also need to avoid it if you have any open cuts or wounds because the substances used could be harmful to such an injury.
People with severe conditions like cancer, kidney or liver issues, or very high blood pressure should speak to a doctor before booking in for massage. While it can help to reduce your pain, there are some techniques or essential oils that aren’t appropriate for you. When you come in for your initial consultation, you should speak to us about your current health concerns, so we can find you the therapist and technique most suited to your needs.
What Happens at Your Appointment?
As you’ve seen, almost everyone is a good candidate for a massage, and you should book in for one if you feel that you need some time to relax and rejuvenate your body and brain. Here at the clinic, we offer sessions of 30, 60, 90, or 120 minutes, so you can choose exactly how long your therapy lasts. Once you get started, your therapist can tell you how often you should return to get the maximum benefit from your sessions.
Before the Session
You won’t need to do much to prepare for your therapeutic massage, but it would be good to hydrate because your massage will flush out waste products from your tissues, and extra water can ensure that this is removed properly. When you call us to book your appointment, we will ask about your general health, so you should tell us if you have any special requirements or severe health conditions.
At the clinic, your massage therapist will speak to you about what issues you’ve been experiencing and why you’ve decided to give massage a try. You can tell them about your mental health challenges such as anxiety or depression, and you should also mention any physical issues related to your muscles and joints. At this time, you can discuss a treatment plan with your therapist and determine how often you might want to come in for treatment.
Your Massage Session
The session will be held in a massage room, and in most cases, you will be asked to undress, but you can decide what you’re comfortable with. Many body parts can be massaged without you having to undress fully. Your therapist will leave the room while you do that, so you can get settled in on your own. Then, they will return and start your treatment, gently manipulating your muscles to loosen them up.
Depending on the type of massage you’ve requested, they might apply more or less force, but you can give your therapist feedback throughout your session. Don’t be afraid to speak up if something doesn’t feel right, but also let your therapist know if one technique is particularly effective. That way, they can adjust their approach to your needs and preferences.
After the Session
At the end of your session, the massage therapist will leave the room again and allow you to get dressed in your own time. Usually, you can return to your normal routine straight away and you can even drive yourself home, but you might like to spend some time stretching or meditating after your massage.
It’s also a good idea to keep hydrating for the rest of the day. Often, it’s beneficial to get your massage at the end of the day, so your body can adjust to the new position and feel of the muscles overnight.
Relax and Revitalize Your Body Now
Therapeutic massage is a great way to regenerate your body and increase the blood flow to various tissues that need it the most. Many people find that this type of treatment can help with common conditions like fatigue or headaches, and it can be very valuable to people suffering from muscle aches or repetitive stress injuries. In many cases, massage even helps to relieve anxiety and depression.
During your session, you can expect your massage therapist to manipulate your muscles in order to release any tightness you might have accumulated in daily life. You can get sessions of different lengths to suit your needs, and you can come in as often as you need to. Contact us at Backstage Salon + Spa in Rowley, MA today to book your consultation and your first massage session with one of our specialists.
